Cocoa Crackle Cookies

Every year, little miss has a very important job on Christmas Eve. 

She has to choose what kind of cookies we should bake for Santa.

A few years ago, she received a fun Sesame Street cookie baking book, so that is the first place she turns to make her decision. She had it narrowed down to just a couple, but finally chose cocoa crackles. Because daddy told her that Santa really likes chocolate.

These cookies are super easy to make, and I love the crackle effect when they bake.  The kids love rolling the balls of dough in the powdered sugar, too. It's a bit of a mess, but I think Santa thinks they taste even better when the kids help make them.

The recipe claims to make 3 1/2 dozen cookies, but I must have rolled the dough balls too big, because I only got about 2 1/2 dozen.  But they were absolutely delicious, so no one complained about the extra large size.

And, as far as we could tell, Santa was very happy.


Cocoa Crackles
(from Yummy Cookies)

1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda.
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until well blended. Add the flour mixture and mix until combined.
Place the powdered sugar into a shallow dish.
Roll teaspoonfuls of the chocolate dough into balls, then roll the balls in the powdered sugar until they are well coated.
Place the balls about two inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 11-12 minutes or until the cookies are set and no longer shiny. Cool cookies on the cookie sheet for two minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!